Prior to Saturday's semifinals -- the Falcons' biggest game of the season to that point -- it was hard to believe anybody could effectively fill the backfield void created by the season-ending suspension of 6-foot-2, 235-pound senior Payton White (violation of school's athletic code).

No way could Hull match the experience of White, a four-year varsity starter. The bigger question: How could the 5-8, 165-pounder, in his first varsity start, maintain White's level of production (1,324 yards; team-high 27 touchdowns)?

Hull and the Falcons – forced to also replace starting senior left offensive tackle Aaron Hochstetler (suspended for the season, just like White) – answered that question immediately and left no doubts. Hull got loose for 100 yards on five carries in the first quarter, including a 62-yard run that set up his team's first TD, and piled up 191 yards on 11 attempts in the opening half.

Among his game-high 21 carries was a 54-yard burst that put Constantine ahead 22-6 with 1:49 left in the second quarter. Hull also played a little defense, and made a big stick on SMCC's Chinedu Nwosu early in the game.

"Justin's definitely some undiscovered talent on this team – he's only a sophomore, believe it or not," said Falcons senior running back/linebacker Ben Mallo, who leads the Falcons in rushing yards (1,668) and tackles (102). "He definitely rose to the occasion (Saturday) and he played his heart out and I thank him for that. He did what he had to do."

That last line – "did what he had to do" – pretty much describes this Constantine team and its program to a 'T.' (Pun intended, as the Falcons operate out of a balanced wing-T offense.)

Constantine football has been a "by-committee" type of operation – hope Alabama coach Nick Saban doesn't read this, for those fans who remember his snappy halftime response during the Michigan game – where the whole seems greater than the sum of its parts.

It's a system – a machine, if you will. If one part breaks (gets injured, suspended, whatever), plug in another and keep the operation rolling.

"The whole thing with what's going on here, you've got to treat suspensions like injuries. If those kids would've gotten hurt instead of what happened to them, we would still have to play on," said Constantine coach Shawn Griffith, who plugged the left-tackle spot with seniors Nate Petoskey and Phil VanZile.

"I think our kids really kind of look forward to their opportunity, and we preach that and preach that. First day of practice, you may not be in the starting lineup. We tell them all the time, 'Don't think for a second that you're not going to get your opportunity. If the season goes as long as we'd like it to, you're going to get an opportunity to play. That might mean only special teams, but you know what, if you're on special teams you best go out there and make plays on special teams.' We've got a lot of kids who do that."

Griffith declined to elaborate on White's and Hochstetler's violations. As an aside: Both players have shown remorse for whatever it was they did. Watching the Falcons celebrate Saturday, White had a big smile on his face, for what it's worth – he was happy for his teammates.

Hull has been on the varsity team all season, but had only 33 carries for 295 yards and three touchdowns entering Saturday's clash with SMCC.

"That's how we're coached," senior quarterback/safety Tommy Reed said. "All week, the word was 'adversity.' Payton and our left tackle were out, and we just had to plug people in there and they were able to come through. (Hull) had a huge game.

" ... We just thought, just like coach said (mid-week when the suspensions were announced), 'We have people that we're able to plug in,' and that's what makes us so good. If we have people with injuries or whatever happens, then have backups that are able to play and play at the level that we want them to play."

There was no fall-off whatsoever Saturday at Harper Creek.

"Justin was a real good runner for us at the JV level last year as a freshman. I really wasn't worried – we've got running backs who can tote the ball," said Griffith, whose team has rushed for 5,532 yards and 75 TDs. Five players have run for 541 or more yards – three with 852 or more.

"(Hull) looked really good up at Western the first game of the year, too, if you remember right," the coach said with a knowing grin. "I think he had like two carries for about 60 yards and a couple of TDs."

Hull hit the ground running Saturday. You'd better believe he and the Falcons will be ready to roll this Friday, too.

DIVISION 6 FOOTBALL STATE FINALS

Constantine (11-2) vs. Ithaca (13-0)

Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. Friday at Detroit's Ford Field.

Admission/parking: $10 for admission, which includes all four games Friday but no in-and-out privileges allowed; limited parking available in Olympia Entertainment lots adjacent to Ford Field and Comerica Park at $6 per vehicle; other parking vendors in vicinity available for various prices.

Live chat: Follow MLive's updates and commentary during the game, including thoughts from Kalamazoo sports reporter Scott DeCamp, at highschoolsports.mlive.com.